Toy bridge



H. 0. .ZENKE.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

TOY BRIDGE.

(No Model.)

Patented Mar. 3, 1891.

'm g v 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY O. ZENKE, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

TOY BRIDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 447,422, dated March 3, 1891.

Application filed June 5, 1890. Serial No. 35 L377- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, HENRY O. ZENKE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at St. Paul, county of Ramsay, State of Minnesota, have invented and made new and-usei'ul Improvements in Toy Bridges, Trestlefork, and Such Like Structures, for the use and instruction of children; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description and specification of the same, reference being had to the drawings, forming part thereof.

The object of my invention is to provide means for readily and securely fastening together tie-braces by locking-bolts to form bridge or trestle structures .for the use and amusement of children; and my invention consists in certain constructions, fully described in and claimed at the end of this specification.

In order that persons skilled in the art may understand, construct, and use my invention I will proceed to describe it, referring to the drawings, in Which- Figure l is a plan View of one form of brace-piece. Fig. 2 is an alternate form of brace-piece. Fig. 3 is a similar brace to Fig.

2, but of shorter length. Fig. is a crosssection of Fig. 3 on line X Y. Fig. 4 is a side view of the tie-bolt, and Fig. 4% is a cross-section of the same on line V WV. Fig. 5 is a side view of a structure formed of the different parts illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4%. Fig. 6 is another form of structure. Fig. 7 isaperspective view of the method of joining the ends of the several parts together. Fig. 8 is another form of structure. Figs. 9 and 10 also illustrate possible forms into which the individual parts may be combined. I

A are the equilateral angular openings through the ends of the tie-braces B, B, and O.

D are the looking or tie bolts.

E are the locking equilateral angular heads to the bolts'D.

F are the circular portions or hearings on the bolts D.

- The shape of. the body of the tie-bolt between the parts F is angular like the heads E.

In constructing trestles and bridges of the individual parts the angularopenings through the ends of the braces are placed together to match and the tie-bolts slipped through them, and then the tie-bolts are turned partly around, so that the points of the angular heads, as seen at Fig. 7, cannot draw out again until they are turned to match the angles in the ends of the braces, &c. The lengths of the parts F are adjusted to the thickness of the several pieces which are to be held by them without side motion. The diameter of the parts F is regulated by the size of the walls of the angular openings in the ends of the braces, so that no side movement of the parts can take place.

It will be seen that various forms of structures can be made by using different lengths of braces, and that no particular skill is required to vary the said forms. The whole when joined together as described forms a rigid structure, and the various parts can be provided in duplicate to any convenient extent, boxed and sold upon the market in a merchantable shape, ready for use, without any further manipulation by the user.

Having now fully described my invention and the manner in which I have embodied it, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The brace-piece B, provided with equilateral angular openings through its ends, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The tie-bolt D, constructed substantially as shown and described, with the angular heads, as E, the circular bearings, as F, and the intermediate angular portion, as D, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The combination for a toy bridge or trestle, consisting of brace-pieces provided with equilateral angular heads, as E, contiguouscircular bearings, as F, and intervening angular central portion, as D, the several parts being constructed and arranged to lock together to form a firm bridge or trestle 

